Danger-signal



(No Model.) F HANSON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. DANGER SIGNAL.

Patented' 001:. 3, 1893.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-'Sheet 2.

I'. HANSON. DANGER sIGnALj.

No. 506,175. Patented Oct. 3, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

FREEMAN HANSON, OF BAR MILLS, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO I-I. AND W. J. KNOWLTON, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

DANGER-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 506,175, dated October 3, 1893.

Application filed December 13,1892. Serial No.455,066. (No model.) l

To all whom it may concern.:

Beit known that I, FREEMAN HANsoN, a citi- 'zen of the United States, residing at Bar Mills, in the county of York and Stateof Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Danger-Signals; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertainsto make and use the same.

Figure l is a broken perspective view of this device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, broken, showing the signal wound up.V Fig. 3 is a detail in section through an end of one of the standards and clasp and spring. Fig. 4 is a cross section through the extended signal,

showing also the side hooks to hang lamps upon. Fig. 5 is a broken perspective view where but one standard is used. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the same.

This invention belongs tothe class of danger signals used on the track of rail roads,

and the novelty in the peculiar construction of the device and the combination of its several parts, all as will now be more fully set out and explained.

In the embodiment of my invention, I employ standards or staffs A, adapted for detachable attachment to the rails of the track or railway, each being split or slit from its lower end upward a suitable distance, as at a, to permit the branches or arms a a', thereof thus formed to be sprung apart alimited eX- tent in applying it to the rail. The branches or arms o a are provided at theirlower ends w1th springs, angular plates or feet a2 adapted to conform to, and embrace, the tread and web of the rail B, thus providing for the seating or clamping of the standard or staff firmly upon the rails for retention thereon without other assistance. Preferably each plate or foot a, extends up on the inside of the slit a, for a suitable distance, and is here secured by rivets or otherwise; thus to each part of the arms or branches is secured one portion of the pair of spring clamps or feet to tit upon the tread. The ends a5, of each part of the spring clamps or feet flare slightly so as to provide easy means for the application of each pair to the rail.

One of the branches or arms a a', of the two arms will also assist to hold the two parts l on the rail. t v

A signal C, made ofY any suitable material and of any desired color is attached at its ends or sides at any convenient point to the two standards, so that when the device is in position for use the signal stretches from side to side of the rail road track and thus there will be no difficulty in its being observed from the engine cab of the approaching train.

In addition to the signal C, there are provided hooks D, extending outward from each standard to afford means of hanging lanterns-one or both of said hooks can be used. The inner end of each of said hooks is movably fixed in the slot a5, of the standard so that when it is desired to roll up the signal, as in Fig. 2, the hooks can be turned into said slots and thus be wholly out of the way of the ard A, a suitable distance below its upper end by means of a set or holding screw F and nut F', and a seating block or piece f, through which and the standard is passed said screw, the latter being ixed to said block. The signal material or flag O, is connected at or along its lower edge to a spring-roller G, journaled in the cylinder or closure E, said iiag being passed through a longitudinal slot e, in the upper side of the cylinder or closure and having its upper edge connected to a suitable stiffening plate 0r rod c, having at its center a ring c,or other suspending device, adapted to be caught upon or engage a stud or projection a6, on the stad or standard, the same in the present instance being a screw project- .ing from the standard. Thus, with the sta drawn from the closure or cylinder E, displaying it to View and causing it to serve asa danger signal to an approaching engine or train. When not desired for further use, and by disengaging the ring c', from the stud a, the Iiag will be automatically rolled up into the closure or cylinder by the action of the spring-roller. It will thus be seen that the signal is adapted to be readily applied or attached to a rail of the track and held thereon without additional assistance while displaying the ag, and as quickly removed when not further needed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Paten 1s 1. The signal having the slitted sta or standard whose arms or branches are provided with angular plates or feet adapted to conform to, and fit the rail of a railway track, substantially as described.

2. In a signal, the combination of the staii or standard, having spring feet suitably secured in and to the slitted lower end thereof, as described, and adapted for application or attachment to the rails of a railway track, and the signal having its ends connected to said stai or standard, substantially as set fort-h.

3. The combination of the split staff or standard having its arms or branches provided with angular plates or feet adapted to conform to, and embrace the rail of a railway track, the longitudinally slotted cylinder or closure having a seating-block and set-screw and nut connection with said sta or standard, and 3 5 the signal or flag connected to a spring-actuated roller journaled in said cylinder or closure, said flag or signal having its upper end provided with a ring or like device adapted to engage a stud or projection on the staff 4o or standard, near its upper end, substantially as specied.

4. In a railway signal, the stai or standard having an approximately U-shaped clasp secured to one of its branches or arms and embracing the opposite branch or arm thereof, substantially as set forth.

5. In a railway signal, as described, the lamp hooks journaled in slots in the standards, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a railway signal the combination of the standards having at their lower ends means for detachably connecting it with the rail and a signal adapted to be wound up when notin use, and reversible lamp hooks at the sides of each standard, substantially as set forth.

7. In rail road signal standards each having slit ends provided with spring feet said ends being held together by means of a spring between them, sut stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREEMAN I-IANSON.

Witnesses:

HIRAM KNoWLToN, B. W. ILSLEY. 

